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Sansevieria zeylanica

Image of Sansevieria zeylanica

Carol Cloud Bailey

Family

Agavaceae

Botanical Name

Sansevieria zeylanica

Plant Common Name

Good Luck Plant, Mother-in-law's Tongue, Snake Plant

General Description

The deep-green coloring of the Ceylon bow-string plant distinguishes it from the popular variegated forms commonly sold as house plants. This tough, clump-forming, evergreen perennial is native to Sri Lanka (once known as Ceylon) and the Indian mainland. Its fleshy, upright, dagger-shaped leaves are horizontally banded with attractive mottling.

Elongated clusters of fragrant, greenish-white flowers appear only under ideal conditions. It will grow in almost any soil or exposure although over-watering and cold can be deadly. A familiar and long-suffering houseplant, it also makes a good garden accent in pots and has become a hallmark of warm-climate Spanish architecture. These plants grow in the ground where soils are well-drained and make an excellent contrasting form for large, rounded leaves. They also provide a solution for overly shady nooks.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    9 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Cactus or Succulent

  • Sun Exposure

    Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm

  • Width

    12"-36" / 30.5cm - 91.4cm

  • Bloom Time

    Spring

  • Native To

    India

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought, Soil Compaction

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

    Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

    Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Spotted/Mottled

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

    SpottedMottled

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No